Even as the Ph.D examination tussle at the Osmania University (OU) campus had been solved, yet another predicament is all set to give a nasty headache to the varsity’s administration.
In the coming academic year, around 1,000 Ph.D students are expected to join the campus and most students apply for hostel accommodation, wherein lies the problem as the OU hostels are too crammed to accommodate even a single student.
It is an open secret that the 14 hostels on the campus are crammed badly, with outsiders too residing with students in those buildings.
Of the 14 hostels, only three, namely the Old PG, New PG and NRS hostels, are meant for Ph.D students.
Research scholars, who joined more than two years back, were given accommodation just six months ago owing to lack of place.
The hostel administration admitted that the current scenario on the campus was in a pitiable state, with incoming students adjusting with the old ones, who mostly do not vacate their rooms even after completing their courses.
“The system was manageable until 2001-2 when we used to flush out old students, especially Ph.D scholars, as each candidate is allotted one room. However, now students barely leave their rooms. The Telangana agitation only worsened the situation with student leaders occupying many rooms,” said an administration personnel on condition of anonymity.
Prof B Narayana, the additional chief warden, admitted that it will be difficult to admit new students into the hostels. “However, other administrations and I are only concerned with maintenance. The decision to remove old students and accommodate new ones will be taken by the vice-chancellor and principals of the respective colleges,” he said.
Another senior official explained that the 14 hostels could house 5,000 students. “But right now there are at least 10,000 students,” he stated, adding that many students let their friends and family stay in their rooms.
When contacted, Prof Mallesh Sankasala, principal of the University Arts College, said the incoming Ph.D scholars will definitely ask for rooms and other facilities.
“However, we will provide them a place to stay only after they sign an undertaking without putting their own terms and accept what the university will give based on availability,” he said.
It may be recalled that last year in August, Prof Sankasala had managed to evacuate old students from the four hostels provided to the Arts college, as the situation was worsening every year.
However, students of the hostels have a different story to tell. “If my friend comes from a district and has no place to stay, obviously I will let him stay with me. Like him, there are many students who come from small towns or villages, who have no money to stay in hotels,” said M Krishank, a research scholar.
With the new Ph.D students about to join, hostel caretakers also say the burden on mess will increase doubly.
“You will find students taking a lot of food from their friends and going to their rooms to share. We are paid to make food for students who pay, but what about outsiders?” a cook questioned.